NBA News Roundup, Sunday, August 18th: Dwight Howard could replace DeMarcus Cousins in L.A., another Team USA withdrawal and more

The 2019-20 NBA season is a little over two months away, and plenty could still happen in the weeks leading up to one of the most keenly anticipated campaigns in recent history. The Los Angeles Lakers are on the search for a new center after losing DeMarcus Cousins for the foreseeable future, while the likes of the LA Clippers and Houston Rockets remain open to further solidify potential championship-winning rosters.

Elsewhere, teams such as the Oklahoma City Thunder and Washington Wizards may be willing to trade some of their biggest assets, and a number of notable free agents remain up for grabs.

So, with plenty going on around the NBA, here are all the latest news and rumors you need to know for August 18th.

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Dwight Howard could replace DeMarcus Cousins for the Los Angeles Lakers

Dwight Howard's first spell with the Los Angeles Lakers was considered a failure

The Los Angeles Lakers have been left with just one center following the injury to DeMarcus Cousins, and the franchise is expected to pursue another big ahead of the new season. The likes of Joakim Noah and Kenneth Faried have been linked with the Lakers over the past few days, although Rohan Nadkarni of Sports Illustrated is reporting that LA could bring back a former player in Dwight Howard.

A name I’m hearing the Lakers are seriously interested in after the Boogie Cousins injury: Dwight Howard. The Grizzlies haven’t bought him out yet, but he’s not expected to play in Memphis this season. Javale McGee is the only other center on LA’s roster.

— Rohan Nadkarni (@RohanNadkarni) August 17, 2019

Howard is coming off an injury-hit season with the Washington Wizards. Injuries restricted the 33-year-old to just nine outings, during which he averaged 12.8 points and 9.2 rebounds in 25.6 minutes per game.

The former All-Star joined the Lakers back in 2012 but left just a year later after becoming frustrated with his role on the team. During his lone season in LA, Howard averaged 17.1 points,12.4 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game.

De'Aaron Fox becomes the latest star to withdraw from Team USA

De'Aaron Fox is a key member of a talented Sacramento Kings roster

Much of the NBA's top talent quickly made themselves unavailable for Team USA's upcoming World Cup campaign, and an already underwhelming squad has subsequently been hit with several withdrawals. Both P.J. Tucker and Marvin Bagley III dropped out earlier this week, and ESPN is reporting that De'Aaron Fox has become the latest name to withdraw:

In a surprising move, Sacramento Kings point guard De'Aaron Fox has withdrawn from Team USA, managing director Jerry Colangelo told ESPN on Saturday.

Fox played in Friday night's exhibition victory over Spain, and the young guard had been among the standout performers during scrimmages.

Fox's withdrawal leaves Gregg Popovich with just 13 players as he prepares to take his team to Australia. The legendary coach must trim his roster to 12 ahead of the World Cup later this month.

Victor Oladipo believes the Indiana Pacers will make the playoffs

Victor Oladipo will miss the start of the upcoming season

A knee injury ended Victor Oladipo's second season in Indiana ahead of the All-Star break, and the Pacers subsequently stumbled to a first-round postseason exit without their star man. The 27-year-old is not expected to be back until December at the earliest, although Oladipo is confident that the Pacers will be good enough to reach the playoffs for a fifth consecutive season:

I feel like we got some great additions. We got a chance to be really special. I feel like the league is wide open... Playoffs, for sure. Definitely.

Oladipo has enjoyed a career resurgence since joining the Pacers as part of the blockbuster deal that sent Paul George to Oklahoma City. During the 18-19 season, the shooting guard averaged 18.8 points, 5.2 assists, 5.6 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game.